ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Chiefs Even Mini-Series With 4-2 Win

Published on December 4, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Johnstown, PA - This time there would be no miracle comeback for the Wheeling Nailers. Trailing 3-0 in the 3rd period Wheeling pulled to within one with goals by Blair Yaworski and Alex Grant but this time could not get the equalizer as they fell to the Chiefs 4-2.

Wheeling had overcome a two goal deficit in the mini-series opener Wednesday night including a dramatic game-tying goal by Alex Grant with 3 seconds left. But this time Johnstown was able to find the empty-net with 19 seconds left to seal the win.

This was the first game in five meetings between the two teams that didn't go to overtime.

Wheeling's record moves to 8-11-2 with the setback while Johnstown improved to 8-9-4.

The three game stretch moves to Wheeling Saturday night with a 7:35 encounter.

Trailing 3-0 heading into the 3rd the Nailers got into comeback mode again. Blair Yaworski scored his 2nd of the year at 4:20 after Chris Capraro stole it in the Chiefs zone. Yaworski had 18 goals for the Chiefs in his rookie season last year and was signed by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and assigned to Wheeling this year. The Yale University product found just enough space over the right shoulder of Johnstown goalie Shane Connelly to rap it off the underside of the cross-bar.

Wheeling was awaiting a chance to go on the power-play when Alex Grant blasted home a 4-on-4 goal on a fine cross-ice feed by Mitch Ganzak. It was Grant's 4th goal in his last 3 Nailers games and with 7:48 remaining Wheeling had closed the score to 3-2 and had about 1:30 of upcoming power play time.

Johnstown was able to kill off the subsequent power play and Connelly made a huge save on a T.J. Fox breakaway opportunity to preserve the Chiefs win.

Brad Thiessen took his first Nailers loss in his 2nd consecutive start to go to 1-1. The highly touted Hockey East Conference Player of the Year and Hobey Baker Award finalist with Northeastern University in Boston last year made several fine saves but got burned by back to back Johnstown goals 31 seconds apart.

Sean Berkstresser pounced on a rebound on the power play to stuff it past Thiessen late in the 1st to score against his former team or the second game in a row. A few seconds later ECHL November Rookie of the Month Connor Shields was able to convert on a 2-on-1 to extend the Chiefs lead to 2-0.

Ryan Menei's top shelf goal with 5:20 left in the 2nd beat Thiessen on the glove-hand side and the Chiefs led 3-0 at that point.

Wheeling outshot the Chiefs 33-30. The Nailers went 0-for-6 on the power play while Johnstown was 1-for-4.

Wheeling leads the season series over the Chiefs with a record of 3-1-1.

Dan Henningson and Slavomir Tomko both missed the game with injuries. Cleve Kinley sat out with the flu.

Saturday night the Wheeling Nailers host the Johnstown Chiefs at 7:35 to conclude the 3-game series. The Nailers and the BSA will be celebrating 100 years of Scouting with a limited edition of a Spike bobble head for the first 1,000 kids age 14 and under. The Nailers will also begin collecting Toys For Tots.

On Sunday, December 6th at 6:35 it's the Nailers hosting the Toledo Walleye in the first game ever between the two teams. Wear an NFL jersey to the game and get a special discounted adult ticket for only $10. It's Sunday Family FunDay featuring a post-game skate with the Nailers players. Be sure to bring your skates and gloves...and don't forget the camera!

Nailers hockey is always the most awesome family entertainment value in town and we want you there cheering on your hometown team.

Take advantage of the Nailers new $87 package for 7 Nailers home games. Kids tickets are always $5 and students get in for only $7. Call the Wheeling Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL, that's 234-4625. Or log on to wheelingnailers.com for more information.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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ECHL Stories from December 4, 2009


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